EASTMAN Professional Saxophone | ETS852 52nd Street Tenor

The DS Mechanism 52nd Street Tenor

The new generation of 52nd Street Tenor Saxophones has arrived! Hosting even more features than the ETS652 models, this saxophone is 400g lighter due to the new DS Mechanism keywork and by using thinner, but harder brass for the body. The ETS852 also comes with an impressive offering of two necks, the traditional ‘S’ neck you’d find on previous generation 52nd Street saxophones, and a new ‘M’ neck, designed in collaboration with artist Bob Mintzer. This saxophone truly creates an unrivalled playing experience.

What is the DS Mechanism?

This new saxophone boasts an impressive patented keywork design (as seen on the 850 series saxophones) by legendary Haynes flute body designer and namesake David Schipani. Schipani’s keywork elevates this saxophone to another level, with ergonomic features designed to make playing feel comfortable and effortless, and to compliment both large and small hands. As sax specialist Jim Cheek says ‘the big innovation on this saxophone is that the main right and left key hand action has been redesigned to offer a much more fluid and light action. This has been achieved by altering the pivot point between the feet and the regulation bar behind each stack; traditionally the contact between these two parts was directly under the bar, whereas now the contact point is on the opposite side of the bar, essentially lowering the resistance. The mechanism involved to create this system features solid square feet that align with symmetrically identical tabs on the opposing side of the regulation bar’.

Other features:

Redesigned octave key mechanism: A much more ergonomic and comfortable thumb rest which has strayed away from the traditional circular shape and is now a crescent shape, which is complimented by a sculpted octave key design.

Rounded tone hole cups: Very much reminiscent of a vintage horn.

Redesigned palm keys: Designed to fit much more comfortably in a palm, these keys have been bevelled and shaped.

Rolled toneholes: Each tonehole has been rolled to match vintage horns, and to greatly assist air and response

Side F♯ and top F♯ redesigned: Designed to much more comfortably fit into a hand shape.

Two necks: Provided are the ‘M’ Mintzer neck and the ‘S’ neck

See Bob Mintzer talk about this exceptional saxophone below: